Christchurch team cancels Super Rugby match after shootings

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Super Rugby match between the Christchurch-based Crusaders and Dunedin-based Highlanders on Saturday has been canceled as a mark of respect to victims of the mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques.

New Zealand Rugby said the decision to cancel the Dunedin match was taken after a meeting with teams, venue management, police and community organizations involved in the response to Friday's shootings which left 49 dead.

"Advice from police and venue management was that the fixture could go ahead. However, with strong agreement from both teams we have made the final call not to proceed as a mark of respect for the events that have occurred in Christchurch," New Zealand Rugby's chief rugby officer Nigel Cass in a statement.

Crusaders chief executive Colin Mainsbridge said the club, players and community were deeply shocked by Friday's events.

"Yesterday's horrific attacks have left us all feeling stunned," he said. "All other issues and considerations pale in significance.

"We will now regroup and make arrangements for the team to return home as soon as possible to be back in their community and with their families."

A crowd of more than 20,000 had been expected for the match but Highlanders chief Roger Clark said he fully supported the cancellation.

"This is always the biggest fixture on our match calendar and one which our fans look forward to," he said. "But when we think about the massive loss of life and absolute devastation that has been wreaked on people in Christchurch, we feel this is the right decision."

Both teams will take two competition points from the match. The Crusaders are the defending champions of the Super Rugby competition, which involves teams from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Japan and Argentina.

The shootings have had a wide impact on sports in the usually carefree New Zealand.

The third cricket test between Bangladesh and New Zealand at Christchurch, due to begin Saturday, was cancelled after the Bangladesh team narrowly avoided the mosque shooting.

The cricketers arrived near one of the mosques for Friday prayers while the shooting was in progress, and were able to escape to the nearby test venue Hagley Oval.

The Bangladesh players have since left New Zealand to return home.

The Australia-based National Rugby League's match between the New Zealand Warriors and Sydney's Canterbury Bulldogs will go ahead Saturday, with Wellington-based organizers announcing any remaining tickets will be free of charge.

"We represent New Zealand and Christchurch is a huge part of our fan base," Warriors chief executive Cameron George said. "Mt. Smart (Stadium) is our home and a safe house for every New Zealander.

"This is our way of paying respects to the horrible tragedy yesterday and hopefully bringing people together in what is a devastating time for the country."

George said extra security would be provided for Saturday's match.

____

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A week after Cyclone Idai lashed southern Africa, flooding still raged Thursday as torrential rains caused a dam to overflow in Zimbabwe, threatening riverside populations. The confirmed death toll in Zimbabwe, neighboring Mozambique and Malawi surpassed 500, with hundreds more feared dead in towns and villages that were completely submerged.

At the heart of Chinese President Xi Jingping's visit to Rome that started Thursday is a key prize: a deal to make Italy the first major democracy to join China's ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

President Donald Trump abruptly declared Thursday the U.S. will recognize Israel's sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights, a major shift in American policy that gives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political boost a month before what is expected to be a close election.

Former Brazilian President Michel Temer was arrested Thursday on corruption charges, a dramatic development in a sprawling graft probe that has roiled Latin America's largest nation and shows no sign of slowing.